Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine says former guitarist Marty Friedman would put up a "barrier" with his bandmates and "not let people in"

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine says there was a “weirdness” between him and former guitarist Marty Friedman.

The frontman compares the frosty relationships he had with previous guitarists Friedman, Jeff Young and Chris Poland with his close rapport with Kiko Loureiro.

When asked if different guitar players affect his own style, Mustaine tells Interactive Guitar Magazine: “There’s not really that much of a difference when you’re playing with guitar players, but there is something that’s of a personal nature.”

He adds: “I feel that the couple of months I’ve been with Kiko, we have become very close friends. And there was a weirdness with Marty that – and my bassist David Ellefson will concur – we could not cross that barrier, that he would just not let people in.

“Poland and I had a very turbulent time, and Jeff Young and I never really got that close either. With Kiko, we have so much fun goofing around and doing silly stuff all the time.

“I think that’s important, because when you leave home and you’re gone for this long, and you’re with a guy that you barely know, it can be really bad.”

Friedman left Megadeth in 2000 after recording five albums with the band, including Rust In Peace and Countdown To Extinction. He later moved to Japan where he has lived since 2003 and has built a successful career as a TV personality.